Don't Miss

Whitehaven Western Lakes & Coast
Whitehaven Western Lakes & Coast

You are here: Explore > Areas of Cumbria > Western Lakes & Coast > Towns and Villages > Whitehaven

Whitehaven

The maritime port of Whitehaven was once the third-largest in the UK with trade links all over the world. The town’s prosperity was built on coal, developed by the wealthy Lowther family who also laid out the elegant Georgian town. The wealth of Georgian architecture led to Whitehaven being listed as a ‘gem town’

The historic 17th century harbour, enhanced by nautical sculptures, dramatic lighting effects and a brand new marina, is the focus for spectacular maritime events and activities including the occasional visit of tall sailing ships.

In the mid 18th century, Whitehaven was used as a template for the expansion of New York.

Culture & Heritage

Until the early 17th century Whitehaven was a small coastal village that lived off fishing, farming and salt-making. Then the wealthy Lowther family began to capitalise on the rich seams of coal in the area – pits were dug and pretty soon the ‘black gold’ was being extracted at mammoth rates: in some cases, the coal seams were dug to a distance of five miles under the Irish Sea.

The Whitehaven mines were among the most dangerous in the world for pit explosions - one of the worst was in May 1910, when 136 miners lost their lives at Wellington Pit.

The first quay was built in 1634 to export coal to Ireland but a growth in shipping between Europe, Africa, America and the West Indies necessitated the building of additional quays, or tongues, to cope with the burgeoning trade. By 1750 Whitehaven was the third most important port in the country after London and Bristol, and plans were underway to create a gracious town with elegant Georgian houses, wide thoroughfares and new churches to reflect the town's wealth.

Unfortunately, the American War of Independence (1775-1783) severely affected the important tobacco trade with Maryland and Virginia, and Whitehaven's sea merchants faced bankruptcy through contraction of markets and an increase in piracy on English ships. War may have hampered trade, but it was a boon for shipbuilding, and Whitehaven was to produce up to 1000 wooden ships over the next 100 years.

Coal mining continued as an important industry until the 1930s, followed by gradual closure of the pits. In 1943 the Marchon Chemical Works was built on the site of Ladysmith pit and became a leading producer of detergent powders. Its tall chimneys dominated the Whitehaven skyline for around 50 years until closure in 2005 and demolishment two years later. The flattened site is now earmarked for landscape restoration.

Today, improvements to the harbour area and a careful restoration of the town’s Georgian buildings are part of an ongoing regeneration programme, the latest phase of which is to upgrade footpaths, cycleways and signage along the coast to St Bees and improve access to Haig Colliery Mining Museum, Saltom Pit and the RSPB reserve at St Bees.

Surrounding Areas

Egremont - Egremont still celebrates its medieval roots having once been a part of the Barony of Egremont. One of the high points of the year being the annual Crab Fair, incorporating the internationally famous World Gurning Championship.

St Bees - St Bees Head is the most westerly point in Cumbria and sheltering underneath is the village of St Bees. According to legend, it was to this bay that St Bega arrived from Ireland, building a nunnery that later evolved into St Bees Priory.

Beckermet - Within this rural landscape of pastoral fields and wooded dells, it comes as a surprise to encounter the high-tech complex of Sellafield, Britain's nuclear reprocessing facility. In dramatic contrast to this ultra-modern spectacle the outlying villages of Beckermet and Haile quietly display their wealth of antiquities dating back over 1000 years.

Cleator Moor - The large ‘new' town of Cleator Moor was built to house migrant workers in the area in search of work. The area around Cleator contained rich deposits of iron ore. Once ironworks were established at Cleator Moor (1842) and Workington, a network of railways followed to transport the produce to local furnaces. Sections of the old railway line are still visible, with parts around Rowrah and Cleator Moor now forming a cycleway.

Did you know?

Mildred Warner Washington
St Nicholas’s Church on Lowther Street is the resting place of Mildred Warner Washington (grandmother of George Washington, first president of the United States.
John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones was born in southwest Scotland in 1747 and served his seaman’s apprenticeship on board the King George slave ship based at Whitehaven.
Calder Abbey
The remains of this 12th century Cistercian abbey stand gauntly amid overgrown vegetation next to the river.
The Coast to Coast Walk
The Coast to Coast Walk was the brainchild of Alfred Wainwright, and is one of the most famous long-distance walks in the country.
Candlestick Chimney
The distinctive Candlestick Chimney of Wellington Pit was allegedly designed by Sir John Lowther to replicate his favourite silver candlestick.
Egremont Castle
The castle was first erected around 1120 by William de Meschines, the first baron of Egremont.

the western lakes has a rich history, brilliantly told

Accommodation
Things to Do
What's On
Food & Drink
Towns & Villages

Accommodation

Things to Do

What's On

Food & Drink

Accommodation

Things to Do

What's On

Food & Drink

Towns & Villages

Number of results: 38

, currently showing 1 to 20.

Sort By: A-Z Low to High A-Z High to Low

High to Low

Loweswater

Address

Cumbria, CA13 0RU

Telephone
01539 822222

website@cumbriatourism.org

Loweswater is a small hamlet situated between Loweswater and Crummock waters. It is home to The Kirkstile Inn which has been providing food and shelter for some 400 hundred years, and now has it's very own brewery.

More Details
Grizedale

Address

Cumbria

website@cumbriatourism.org

Grizedale Forest Park offers the complete day out with an extensive range of internationally famous forest sculptures and way marked paths.

More Details
Penrith

Address

Cumbria, CA11 7PT

Telephone
01539 822222

charles.thornton@eden.gov.uk

Penrith is a bustling market town of sandstone buildings, renowned for its wealth of specialist shops offering an interesting choice of goods.

More Details
Kirkby Lonsdale

Address

Cumbria

kltic@southlakeland.gov.uk

Kirkby Lonsdale is a beautiful market town located in the River Lune valley on the fringes of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.

More Details
Sedbergh

Address

Cumbria

website@cumbriatourism.org

Dating back to the Roman times, Sedbergh is an attractive market town full of character with an engaging mix of cobbled yards and historic buildings.

More Details
Pooley Bridge

Address

Cumbria

website@cumbriatourism.org

Pooley Bridge is situated on the river Eamont, below Dunmallard Hill, at the northern tip of Ullswater, one of Lakeland's most attractive lakes.

More Details
Langdale

Address

New Dungeon Ghyll, Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9JX

website@cumbriatourism.org

Ambleside

Today, the Valleys are recognised as one of the most beautiful places in the Lake District and in medieaval days, were home to a woolen mill.

More Details
Glenridding

Address

Cumbria

Telephone
01539 822222

website@cumbriatourism.org

Glenridding can be found at the foot of the famous Kirkstone Pass at the southern end of Ullswater Lake and it is the main centre for the Ullswater area. The classic mountain Helvellyn at 3,116ft (950m) looks over the village and lake.

More Details
Buttermere

Address

Cumbria

website@cumbriatourism.org

Peaceful Buttermere, a valley of lakes and high mountains offering superb opportunities for quiet enjoyment in the heart of the Lake District.

More Details
Grange over Sands

Address

Grange over Sands, Grange-over-Sands

informationcentre@grangeoversands.net

Grange-over-Sands

Grange-over-Sands is Lakeland's Riviera. Cradled between the hills and the sea it has one of the mildest climates in the North of England.

More Details
Seascale

Address

Cumbria, CA20 1NS

Telephone
01539 822222

website@cumbriatourism.org

Seascale is a small coastal town in the Western Lake District. Situated between Whitehaven and Millom it is the perfect stop off when exploring this beautiful part of the Lake District.

More Details
Wetheral

Address

-

website@cumbriatourism.org

The picturesque village of Wetheral stands on the River Eden near to Carlisle surrounded by unspoilt countryside with pleasant walks.

More Details
Shap

Address

Cumbria, CA10 2DA

Telephone
01539 822222

website@cumbriatourism.org

The village of Shap consists mainly of two long lines of grey stone houses, many dating from the 18th century. The area around Shap was settled in Neolithic times, and there are several stone circles, and other standing stones nearby.

More Details
Bassenthwaite

Address

Cumbria, CA12 4QG

Telephone
01539 822222

website@cumbriatourism.org

The village of Bassenthwaite lies around 1 mile east of Bassenthwaite Lake. The lake is the most northerly of the lakes and is also one of the largest.

More Details
Ravenglass

Address

Cumbria

website@cumbriatourism.org

Where the Lake District meets the sea - an intoxicating mix of coast, mountain scenery of the highest order and top tourist attractions.

More Details
Skiddaw & Thirlmere

Address

Cumbria

website@cumbriatourism.org

From the heights of Skiddaw to the silvan beauty of Thirlmere, this accessible area is a delight to explore.

More Details
Coniston

Address

Cumbria, LA21 8EH

website@cumbriatourism.org

Coniston village is located adjacent to Coniston water and underneath the majestic Coniston Fells of which Coniston Old Man is the most famous.

More Details
Egremont

Address

Cumbria, CA22 2DB

Telephone
01946 820693

website@cumbriatourism.org

Egremont is a traditional market town in the centre of the Western Lake District. Whilst there, discover Egremont's treasures: the illuminated Norman Castle and grounds .

More Details
Eskdale

Address

Cumbria, CA19 1TG

website@cumbriatourism.org

One of the premier Lake District valleys with stunning mountain scenery, outdoor activities for all and fascinating culture and heritage.

More Details
Carlisle City Centre

Address

Carlisle City Centre, Carlisle, CA3 8JW

Telephone
01228 625600

elisabethb@carlisle-city.gov.uk

Carlisle

Carlisle has a wealth of history and heritage to explore as well as fantastic shopping and spectacular countryside.

More Details

Don't Miss

Inspiring Hints & Tips

Sign up to Newsletter

My Planner

Whitehaven

Culture & Heritage

Surrounding Areas

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Address

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

You may also like

Box Office

Download Guide

Gift Vouchers

Itineraries

E-newsletter Sign Up

Blog